The Skeptics Annotated Bible
Page 260
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
(26.74) “Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man.”
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
MATTHEW 27
27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
(27.3-5) “Judas … went and hanged himself.”
387 How did Judas die?
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
(27.6-7) “The chief priests took the silver pieces … and bought with them the potter's field.”
388 Who bought the Potter's field?
389 What did Judas do with the silver?
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
(27.8) “Unto this day” The phrase “unto this day” shows that the gospel of Matthew was written long after the events it describes.
9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
(27.9-10) “Spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.” This is not a quote from Jeremiah, but a misquote of Zechariah (11.12-13).
11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
(27.12-14) 390 Was Jesus silent during his trial?
12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
(27.12) “When he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.”
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
(27.13) “Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?”
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
(27.14) “He answered him to never a word.”
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
(27.25) “His blood be on us, and on our children.” This verse blames the Jews for the death of Jesus and has been used to justify their persecution for twenty centuries.
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
(27.27-28) “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus … and they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.”
391 Who put the robe on Jesus?
392 What color was Jesus' robe?
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
(27.32) “They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.”
393 Who carried Jesus' cross?
33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
(27.34) “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall.”
394 What did the soldiers give Jesus to drink?
35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(27.37) “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” None of the gospels agree on the wording of the sign placed over Jesus' head.
395 What did the sign say?
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
(27.44) “The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”
396 Did both thieves revile Jesus?
(27.45-53) When Jesus was crucified, there was three hours of complete darkness “over all the land.” And when he died, there was a great earthquake with many corpses walking the streets of Jerusalem. It is strange that there is no record of any of these extraordinary events outside of the gospels.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
(27.45) “From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.�
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46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
(27.46) “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
397 What were the last words of Jesus?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
(27.51) “The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.”
398 When did the Temple curtain rip?
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
(27.52-53) “The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
196 Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead?
167 Is death final?
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
(27.54) “Truly this was the Son of God.”
399 What did the centurion call Jesus?
55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
(27.55) “Many women were there beholding afar off.”
400 From where did the women watch?
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
(27.57-60) 401 Who buried Jesus?
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
(27.57-58) “A rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph … went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.”
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
(27.59-60) “When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.”
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
MATTHEW 28
28 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(28.1) “As it began to dawn … came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”
402 How many women went to the sepulchre?
403 When did they arrive?
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
(28.2a) “There was a great earthquake.”
(28.2b) “The angel of the Lord … rolled back the stone … and sat upon it.”
404 Whom did they see at the tomb?
405 Was the tomb open or closed?
406 Were the men or angels inside or outside the tomb when first seen?
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
(28.3-4) “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.”
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
(28.6) “He is risen.” Jesus came back to life after being dead for a while.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
(28.8) “They departed quickly … and did run to bring his disciples word.”
407 Did they immediately tell the disciples?
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
(28.9) “As they went to tell his disciples … Jesus met them…. And they came and held him by the feet.”
408 To whom did Jesus first appear?
409 Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus?
410 Was it OK to touch the risen Jesus?
411 Was Mary Magdalene happy or sad when she saw the risen Jesus?
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
(28.10) “Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
412 Where did Jesus tell his disciples to meet him?
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
(28.15) “Until this day” Once again (see also 27.8), the phrase “until this day” implies that the gospel of Matthew was not written until long after the events supposedly occurred.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
(28.16) “The eleven disciples went away into Galilee.”
413 How many disciples did Jesus appear to in his first post resurrection appearance?
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
(28.17) “When they saw him … some doubted.” Even some of Jesus' apostles doubted that the allegedly risen Christ was really Jesus. Well if they weren't sure, how could we ever be?
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
(28.18) “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
369 How much power did Jesus have?
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(28.19) “Teach all nations, baptizing t
hem in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
352 Should the gospel be preached to everyone?
414 In whose name is baptism to be performed?
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
MARK
And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. — Mark 3.21
Mark is the shortest gospel and was the first to be written. It served as source material for the other synoptic gospels (Matthew and Luke). As with the others, no one knows who the author was, but that didn’t stop believers from claiming its author was Mark, the companion of Peter. The original gospel ended without anyone seeing the resurrected Jesus or any of the cool stuff about the signs of true believers (snake handling, casting out devils, drinking poison, etc.) and the unconditional consequence of non-belief (“He who believeth not is damned.”)—which was added later (16.9-20). Believers have been embarrassed by it ever since.
Highlights:
Jesus healed “all that were diseased” by casting out devils. The devils knew Jesus was the Son of God, but Jesus told them to shut up about it. 1.32-34, 3.11-12
His friends and neighbors are offended by him and/or think he is insane. 3.21, 6.2-5
He gets angry at those who said that he had an unclean spirit, so he announces the unforgivable sin: blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. 3.29
He shows disrespect for his mother and family by asking, “Who is my mother, or my brethren?” 3.31-34
He explains why he speaks in parables: to confuse people so they will go to hell. 4.10-12
He says that those who have been less fortunate in this life will have it even worse in the life to come. 4.25
He sends the devils into 2000 pigs, causing them to drown in the sea. 5.11-17
Any city that doesn’t “receive” the followers of Jesus will be destroyed in a manner even more savage than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. 6.11
Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing their disobedient children according to Old Testament law. 7.9-10
He refused to cast out a devil from a Greek woman’s daughter, calling her a “dog”. After much pleading, he finally agrees to cast out her daughter’s devil. 7.25-30